An outbreak of influenza syndromes causes a health emergency in Amapá; Pediatric intensive care units are overcrowded

According to the SVS, only 16% of vaccinated children have had the vaccine – Image: Netto Lacerda / GEA

The Amapá government issued a decree on Saturday (13) health emergency After outbreaks of influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), causing overcrowding in general pediatric intensive care units (ICUs). According to the government, as of Saturday afternoon (13) 162 children were hospitalized severe acute respiratory syndromes and of these, 29 were intubated into intensive care units.

others 30 new beds will be installed In a private hospital in Santana, about 19 kilometers from Macapa.

An epidemiological bulletin from the Health Surveillance Secretariat (SVS) showed that only 16% of children of vaccination age had been vaccinated.

Governor Clecio Luis reported that the 20 cots were full and another 9 had been opened, all occupied. Clisio also said that the Ministry of Health has already been activated.

We declare a public health emergency. We are working on increasing the number of intensive care units, vaccination campaigns, and strengthening oxygen in the units. “We call on families to vaccinate their children of vaccination age,” the governor said.

The beds in the pediatric emergency room are full – Image: Jorge Júnior / Rede Amazônica

The governor also said that the State Committee for Emergency Operations in Public Health (CEOESP) would be reinstated, in addition to publishing a decree on health measures. According to the government, the decree will not include restrictive measures on the movement or closure of institutions.

A meeting with the state’s 16 mayors will be held on Saturday afternoon (13). Joint actions will be announced after the meeting.

Clecio Luis, Governor of Amapá, declared a health emergency following an outbreak of influenza syndromes – Image: Netto Lacerda/GEA

See announced measures:

Increase in intensive care units in Macapa and Santana
Intensify the vaccination campaign
Ordinance with sanitary measures
Response of the Health Emergency Committee
Strengthening oxygen in health units
Increase shifts

What is the flu?

Influenza is an acute respiratory infection, caused by the influenza virus, which has a high transmissibility potential.

There are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C, and D. The first two are more likely to cause epidemics in annual cycles, while C tends to cause a few milder cases, and D is not known to infect or cause disease in humans.

Annual influenza vaccination allows, throughout the year, to reduce the virus load, prevent complications, and reduce symptoms in priority groups, in addition to reducing the burden on health services.